2021/22 Annual Report

While 2021 was yet another year of continued challenges and changes and start and stops, thanks to the deep compassion, dedication, empathy, and strength of our supporters here in the Edmonton area, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region continued to aid our vulnerable neighbours and work toward building a stronger community for the future.

Despite the shadow of the pandemic, there are many good news stories to celebrate from 2021. Thanks to you, nearly a quarter of a million people in our area who were struggling found needed supports through a United Way initiative or funded program. During a difficult year of on-again-off-again in-classroom study, thousands of students and families in Edmonton’s city centre had access to academic, mental health, nutrition, and other supports through the All in for Youth initiative. In fact, thanks to the growing support of our community over the past year, All in for Youth has now expanded from five schools to eight, connecting local experts with hundreds more students.

Empower U, United Way’s financial literacy education program, was also able to expand by adding a new collaborative partner serving newcomers to Canada, many of whom are from racialized communities. Additionally, 2021 saw many local community agencies stretched beyond thin, but United Way was there to provide backbone support to partners, ensuring they could carry on doing what they do best: providing front-line supports such as food, shelter, mental health counselling, and so much more to our at-risk neighbours.

Last year, we saw our United Way community roll up their sleeves in new ways, which speaks to the willingness and the ingenuity that grew out of 2020. Regardless of the challenges and barriers to being able to convene physically, we witnessed creativity by our community to participate and contribute. Whether wearing a mask while assembling Kid Kits® at the InKind Exchange or Zooming in for a workplace campaign activity, we will look back on this time with pride at how our United Way champions persevered.

Without our advocates, donors, and volunteers, none of this work would have been possible. But there is so much more we can do to help our community recover. Together.

The pandemic disruption has provided an opportunity to lead and to find solutions. With your help, United Way can act on these and many other emerging needs in our community. We will work to address financial and food insecurity that threaten to push more people into poverty. We will be ready to help children succeed in school. We will be prepared to help people build employment skills and financial literacy. As global conflict brings more newcomers and refugees to our area, we will be there to help them find peace and safety in their new home. And we will uplift and strengthen the sector, supporting the frontline agencies so committed to serving those who need support.

And if there is any community who can lead the way, it’s the Capital Region. Thank you for helping make this community one that we are grateful and proud to be a part of.

• 4,053 individuals received early learning and parenting supports.
• 26,612 students participated in healthy development programs.
• 3,470 children participated in nurturing after-school programs.
• 806 at-risk youth were supported to stay in school.
• 5,700 people received help filing their income taxes and accessing benefits.
• 1,025 vulnerable community members received financial literacy training.

• 1,404 individuals got help obtaining and retaining employment.
• 66,461 participants accessed healthy meals or food hampers.
• 591 people received help to obtain or maintain housing.
• 20,466 community members attended mental health education sessions.
• 20,466 individuals facing mental health challenges received timely counselling.
• 2,896 people who experienced domestic violence received caring supports.
• 90,786 people were connected to needed services by skilled staff.

Big Idea Award
MacEwan University

Campaign Committee of the Year (under 100 employees)
Delcon Development Group

Campaign Committee of the Year (100+ employees)
Enbridge

Education & Engagement Award
PCL Construction

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year (Private Sector)
Ahmed Elmeligy, Imperial & Unifor Local 21A

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year (Public Sector)
Marta Gomez, Prairies Economic Development Canada (Edmonton)

Everyday Hero Award
City of Edmonton

Funded Partner Campaign
The Family Centre

GenNEXT Award
Wheaton Honda

George Letki Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Brad Campbell & Jon Holland

Labour Award of Distinction
United Nurses of Alberta

Leading the Way
Alberta Blue Cross

Outstanding Committee Member of the Year
Darlene Bryant, University of Alberta

Small But Mighty Award
MEGlobal Canada Inc.

Welcome to United Way
Northwest Connect General Partnership

211 Alberta

Since its expansion to serve Albertans across the province in June 2020, 211 Alberta has continued to be a vital and valuable means of navigating available – sometimes life-saving – supports.

From affordable housing supports to emergency food hampers, from domestic violence aid to homecare for isolated seniors, 211 users can reach out via phone, text, and chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Drawing on a huge database of resources as well as the expertise of their partners Canadian Mental Health Association, Distress Centre Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, 211 Community Resource Specialists connect Albertans with 35,000 community services and supports at no cost to the user.

In addition, by gleaning insights from 211 data, United Way continues to help identify gaps in the system and emerging or unmet needs that may require additional resources. This is key to informing United Way’s mobilization of collective action – partner agencies, government, and donors – to ensure no one in our community is left behind.

I feel so honoured every time I get to go and speak about @sacetalks and the work they do and the incredible support they provided me. I honestly do not believe I would still be here without them.
Thank you to @myunitedway for giving me this opportunity for the last 4 years 💜

— Kristin Raworth (@KristinRaworth) October 21, 2021

Great work by @dow_official who sent volunteers to pack hygiene kits for @myunitedway on #givingtuesday ! https://t.co/VMddZV6Qkj

— givingtuesdayca (@GivingTuesdayCa) December 12, 2021

When a family comes to register their child(ren) for school they leave us with two backpacks for each child. One is from us and one is from @myunitedway Tools For Schools. We want the child to feel confident walking in to their classroom for the first time. pic.twitter.com/UJJfHSWuAB

— OneWorldOneCentre_ECSD (@OneWorld_ECSD) December 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/GregWengreniuk/status/1471543310229458951?s=20&t=aGuUa_YcEghleOlPGBdoOQ